Elastically Deformable Trailer Coupling Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing trailer couplings with replaceable support members experience wear and clattering due to gaps introduced by beveled surfaces, which lead to rapid wear and noise during angular movement of the drawbar.
Innovation Solution
A replaceable support member with an elastically deformable portion made of materials like polyurethane, integrated with a non-compressible metal base, eliminates gaps by compressing under the eye of the drawbar, allowing rotation without deformation and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beveled surfaces are used on the support member to allow angular movement, then the drawbar can rotate up and down, but gaps are introduced causing clattering sounds and rapid wear
Solution Approach 1:
The support member material is changed from rigid (ductile cast iron) to elastically deformable (polymer material), which allows the front supporting surface to compress and eliminate gaps while maintaining angular movement capability. This parameter change in material properties resolves the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is made of composite material combining polymer material (elastically deformable portion) with potentially metal components (non-compressible base portion). This composite structure provides both the elasticity needed to eliminate gaps and the strength required for load-bearing, resolving the contradiction between wear resistance and angular movement capability.
2Strength
If rigid support member material is used, then structural strength is maintained, but gaps cause clattering and rapid wear
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter is changed from rigid to elastically deformable, allowing the support member to compress and eliminate gaps that cause clattering and rapid wear. The polymer material maintains sufficient structural strength while improving wear resistance through continuous contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformability of the polymer material, which might seem to reduce structural rigidity, actually converts into a benefit by allowing the surface to conform and maintain continuous contact, eliminating harmful gaps that cause clattering and rapid wear. The apparent weakness becomes a strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively minimizes wear and noise by maintaining continuous contact between the support member and the drawbar eye, extending the support member's lifespan and reducing clattering sounds during angular movement.
Implementation Method 1
the front of the eye will be pressed downwards, and compress the elastically deformable portion of the support member
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A replaceable support member for a trailer coupling, the support member being intended to support an eye of a drawbar when the eye is secured by a vertically movable coupling pin, the support member thereby being susceptible to wear by the eye. At least a front supporting surface of the support member is formed by a elastically deformable portion, which has such a shape that, when the support member is arranged in a coupling, there will be substantially no gap between the front supporting surface and the front of the eye, so that, in use, when the drawbar is pushed upwards, the front of the eye will be pressed downwards, and compress the elastically deformable potion of the support member. By making at least part of the support member of a elastically deformable/compressible material, no gap is required between the front surface of the support member and the eye.